Ware missed a potential game-tying free throw late in the Bulldogs' 78-77 loss at South Carolina.

Both Ware and Georgia coach Mark Fox do not want that miscue to overshadow a season's worth of heavy lifting that the sophomore has already accomplished.

"I had a lot of time to think about it on that three-hour bus ride back home," Ware said. "It was definitely tough. I really felt like I didn't do my part in helping the team, doing my job and my responsibilities, just making those shots. But the guys have really rallied around me and given me confidence. It's good to know if you make a mistake, your teammates are behind you."

Ware had hit go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:17 left against South Carolina. After the Gamecocks re-took the lead, Ware was fouled with 3.7 seconds left and the Bulldogs down 78-77.

Ware, an 81-percent foul shooter, missed the front end of a one-and-one. South Carolina grabbed an uncontested rebound to seal the win.

"Dustin's had to do a lot and he's managed it pretty well," Fox said. "When you have to do so much, you're going to make a mistake or two, or a bad play or two, or a missed opportunity or two because you're asked to do so much. I'm telling the guys who are playing major minutes to not be afraid to make a mistake."

Ware has been a one-man moving company for the Bulldogs at point guard. Ware's maturation at the position has helped ease the changeover while Mark Fox installed a triangle offense. Georgia is averaging seven points a game more than it did last season.

"The offense is a lot different from last year, it's more complex," Ware said. "But it's fun. I think it's helped us out a lot. Our offensive percentages are way up this year. We've got a bunch of guys who are playing well, and it's fun to be the one in control of what's going on out there."

Ware, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, has started every game. He is tied with backcourt mate Ricky McPhee for the team lead in minutes played. Ware leads the team in assists and has borne the responsibility of not only engineering the offense, but playing defense against opponents that are almost always bigger and stronger.

"He's had to manage every possession for us," Fox said. "He has the majority of ball-handling responsibilities. He has to run our team, go to the other end and defend and play massive minutes. He's having to do a lot, and I think he's doing a lot pretty well."

Ware has been the Bulldogs' on-court quarterback since the mid-point of last season. While teammates Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie have caught much of the highlight-reel attention, Ware has quietly directed the squad.

"Dustin's doing a great job for us," McPhee said. "He's bringing the ball up the court against pressure. He's usually having to guard one of the toughest players out there. He's handling the ball really well. We're asking a lot out of him and we're really happy with his performances. He's a competitor. We count on him every night. It's tough to play that many minutes and we expect a lot out of him. There's a lot of pressure on him and he's doing a great job."

Ware and McPhee average a team-high 30.6 minutes a game.

In conference play, Ware has averaged 33.5 minutes a game and fatigue has become a concern. The primary backups at guard are freshmen, so rest for the starters is infrequent.

Ware shoots 33.9 percent from the field, including 31.8 percent from the 3-point line. He averages 7.9 points a game and has just 33 turnovers this season. He played 32 minutes against South Carolina and spent much of it chasing the SEC's leading scorer, Devan Downey.

"It's something you don't think about when you're on the floor," Ware said. "You're just playing and you're playing to win, so you don't think about getting tired or anything like that. You just try to help the team and don't think about getting tired."

Mississippi State (67-62) and Ole Miss (80-73) last week. The Razorbacks went 0-3 against the Big 12 in November and December, losing to Oklahoma 67-47, Baylor 70-47 and Texas 96-85. The Razorbacks have had two four-game losing streaks this season. ... Georgia comes off another close road loss against South Carolina. The

Bulldogs have won one of their first six SEC games. But that win came the last time Georgia played at home, 78-63 against Tennessee.

►NOTEWORTHY: Georgia ranks first in the SEC in free-throw percentage at 71.4 percent. … This is the first time since Dec. 30 that Georgia has played an opponent with a lower RPI. … Albert Jackson set season highs with 30 minutes and nine rebounds against South Carolina. … Trey Thompkins has shot 52 percent from the field in six conference games. He has hit six of his last eight 3-pointers. … Travis Leslie has scored in double figures nine straight games. … Ricky McPhee has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games. … Courtney Fortson missed 14 games for Arkansas because of a suspension. … The Razorbacks had to play at Ole Miss on Sunday after bad weather forced a postponement. … Arkansas is last in the SEC in scoring defense at 73.5 points a game. The Razorbacks are next-to-last in 3-point defense at 36 percent.